Well, what have we here? A blend of 50% malt and 50% grain (a very high malt content for a blend), and bottled at 50% too! The whisky was blended first (very unusual), before being aged in sherry cask for its entire life. (Click on the whisky name below to link to their website for more information and an image. It will be available in the U.S. in July.)
Black Bull, 30 year old, 50%, $200
Antique amber/chestnut color. Full sherry impact, but never cloying—the higher alcohol level and grain whisky cut through the sherry and add balance and drinkability. This is a fruity confection delight, with, raisin chutney, fig cake, orange almond scone, and chocolate-covered cherry. Add to the mix richly textured toffee, old oak, polished leather, and a cinnamon-spiced, tobacco finish. A rare treat! A great old blend that malt drinkers will embrace.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 94
…how? I thought Red Bull was blocking all food trademarks that involved Bull?
What percent of malt is typical in a blended scotch?
94… one notch below classic. that’s mighty high praise, especially for a blend. (sorry, i think my bias is showing…)
my understanding is: the point of a blend is consistency, the point of a single malt is character. sounds like this bottle is shooting for the best of both worlds…? (and doing a mighty fine job, by the sounds of it…)
Didn’t take them any time at all to connect to your advance review on the blog, you influential so-and-so! Makes me want to have a taste!
Thanks for the review. I’ve been looking forward to trying this for a while now as it sounds superb.
This reminds me of King’s Ransom! It, too, was blended prior to ageing and was shipped “round the world” in sherry casks. It was high proof (94) for most of its life.It has to be one of my favorites even though it was discontinued in the late 1980’s. The producers told me it was 85% malt, and heavy on Islay. I can hardly wait for Black Bull 30!
Scotty, “The Last Drop” released last year was blended and then aged too. These releases have been quite interesting.